1 Peter 4:1

1 Peter 4:1 says, Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;  Peter tells us that we are to use Jesus as our example when suffering.  Jesus suffered in flesh because He refused to compromise in the spirit.  Suffering in the flesh in itself does not cause someone to stop sinning, but being obedient to God even if that causes us to suffer in this life does.  Verse two adds, That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.  Peter tells us that as Christians that we should no longer live in the lusts of the flesh.  A desire for the things of this world should no longer rule us as followers of Christ.  Verse three continues, For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:  Peter told them that before they accepted Christ that they lived by the same desires that the Gentiles, the lost people of the world did, and so do we today.  We lived for the pleasure of earthly desires before we became Christians.  Verse four states, Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:  Peter tells us that the people of the world are going to find us strange when we do not chase after the same things they do, especially if we chased these same things with them before we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  As Christians, our behavior must be different than that of the rest of the world.  Verse five adds, Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.  Peter tells us that even as Christians we are held accountable for our actions.  We are not given a free pass to sin because our sins have all been forgiven.  Verse six continues, For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.  The gospel being preached to those who were dead does not mean those who have died physically, but to those who were spiritually dead.  Verse seven says, But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.  We hear a lot today that the return of Christ is imminent, but Peter felt the same way in His day.  He did not view it as a time for the lost to get their deserved punishment, but as a time for Christians to be even more dedicated to doing the will of God.  Verse eight adds, And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.  Peter calls on Christians to have a multitude of charity, or love, for the people around us.  This Christ like love is to be extended to all people, just as the love of Christ is, especially as the time of the second coming draws closer.  Verse nine continues, Use hospitality one to another without grudging.  Peter tells us that we are to offer hospitality, or help, to others without grudging.  Verse ten concludes, As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.  Peter tells us since we have received the gift of salvation that we are to share the gospel with others so that they might receive it as well.  The gospel was never and never will be something that is reserved for a few people, but is to be shared with all, even those we do not like.